Stay ahead with the world's most comprehensive technology and business learning platform.

With Safari, you learn the way you learn best. Get unlimited access to videos, live online training,
learning paths, books, tutorials, and more.

Chapter 25. Zero-Touch Provisioning

When a fixed configuration Arista switch boots, and no startup-config is found, the switch
will default to Zero-Touch Provisioning (ZTP) mode (on EOS v3.7 and higher).
Your first reaction to ZTP may be that it’s a pain in the ass, but I assure
you it’s not, and I hope that by the end of this chapter, you’ll agree. In
fact, it’s a seriously cool feature that can be used to great effect.

Have you ever installed a new switch out of the box? Chances are you
mounted it and sat in the data center with a console cable, or you sat with
it on your desk while your workmates plotted against you because of all the
fan noise. Or consider the idea of remote installations. I’ve had many
clients who have bought remote “smart” hands service, only to discover that
those remote hands weren’t so smart after all. ZTP is designed to provide
the ability to eliminate both situations, all through the use of
standards-based Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP).

Note

Late in the production of this book, I received word that ZTP
would be coming to chassis-based switches sometime soon after EOS v4.10,
due to popular demand.

The reason I say that it can be a pain, is because when a new switch is powered up, and steps to use ZTP have not been taken, configuring the switch is next to impossible. Here’s the first indication that you’re in for a long day if you’ve no idea how Arista switches behave. When you hit Enter at the login prompt of a new switch, you’re greeted with ...

With Safari, you learn the way you learn best. Get unlimited access to videos, live online training,
learning paths, books, interactive tutorials, and more.